Multiple gemstone setting simulating a large gemstone

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a gemstone assembly that includes a prong assembly and a gemstone assembly. The prong assembly includes a plurality of prong members adapted to receive the gemstone assembly therein. The gemstone assembly is in the shape of a diamond with at least a cutlet, a pavilion, a girdle, a crown, and a table, each of which is set with small diamonds to give the appearance of one large diamond. The gemstone assembly has a multidimensional base that includes an upper portion and a lower pavilion portion that are engaged and disengaged by up and down movement thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to jewelry and gemstone settings and more particularly to a gemstone setting wherein a plurality of small diamonds are set to simulate the appearance of a large diamond.

2. Description of the Related Art

Different types of gemstone settings are employed by jewelers to hold different types of gemstones in place. These settings secure the gemstones and also add to the aura of the gemstones by significantly enhancing their brilliance and scintillation. The selection of settings is determined by the shape and cut of a gemstone. Large gemstones such as, for example, a large standard round brilliant (SRB) diamond are most coveted in any jewelry setting. However, large gemstones are very expensive, whereas settings wherein a plurality of small to very small gemstones is employed offer an affordable choice to buyers. For example, melee diamonds—small diamonds wherein the diamond weight range from 0.001 carats to 0.18 carats—are used in micro pave settings.

The gemstone settings in the prior art use small to very small diamonds as accent diamonds to the primary diamonds. These small accent diamonds accentuate large primary diamonds. Further, the arrangements of small diamonds in these settings do not follow an asymmetric pattern to present a single organic unit as standard gemstone shape. The arrangement as a single shape does not offer the appearance of parts of an SRB diamond such as for example, a pavilion, a culet, a table, a girdle and a crown, and various other standards that are associated with standards gemstone shapes. A gemstone setting wherein very small gemstones set so as to present an appearance of a large gemstone, such as, for example, a large SRB diamond, is absent in the prior art.

Therefore, a gemstone setting is needed that (1) sets very small gemstones so as to simulate the appearance of a large gemstone and all the critical gemstone parts and features with added brilliance and scintillation and (2) provides an alternative to a large gemstone setting is needed.

SUMMARY

A gemstone assembly is disclosed. The gemstone assembly includes a multidimensional base having an upper portion and a lower portion joined together to form the multidimensional base. The multidimensional base is adapted to facilitate the setting of the plurality of gemstones to simulate at least a culet, a pavilion, a girdle, a crown, a table and a plurality of facets to provide the simulated look of a large gemstone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several views where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view that illustrates the micro pave setting arrangement in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top views of a portion that illustrates in detail the micro pave setting arrangement in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view that illustrates a gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view that illustrates a three dimensionally shape that is used in a gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a three dimensional shape that is used in a gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a three dimensional shape that is used in the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a three dimensional shape that is studded with diamonds and used in the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view that illustrates a three dimensionally shaped that is set with diamonds and used in the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a three dimensionally shaped that is set with diamonds and used in the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a prong that is used in the gemstone setting constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a gemstone setting assembled in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a gemstone setting assembled in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 15A-15B are top and side views of a gemstone assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, to simulate an emerald cut gemstone;

FIG. 16A-16B are top and side views of a gemstone assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, that simulates a heart shaped gemstone;

FIG. 17A-17B are top and side views of a gemstone assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, that simulates a marquise cut gemstone;

FIG. 18A-18B are top and side views of a gemstone assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, that simulates a square shaped gemstone; and

FIG. 19A-19B are top and side views of a gemstone assembly constructed in accordance with the invention, that simulates a cushion shaped gemstone;

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention are shown. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention shown and discussed herein are illustrative of modes of application of the present invention. Reference to details in this discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to these details, or to the figures used to illustrate the invention.

A gemstone setting 100 in accordance with the present invention that uses a plurality of small diamonds that are set close together in the shape of a three-dimensional faceted diamond. Referring to FIG. 1, the gemstone setting 100 includes a prong assembly 102 having four prong members 104, 106, 108 and 110, a prong assembly base 112 and a prong assembly end 114. The prong members 104, 106, 108 and 110 have upper ends 104 a, 106 a, 108 a and 110 a. The prong assembly 102 holds a gemstone assembly 116 between four prongs 104, 106, 108 and 110. The gemstone assembly 116 has a plurality of gemstones 118 that is set in such a fashion that similar to a real gemstone, the gemstone assembly 116 has a table 120, a crown 122 and a girdle 124. In this embodiment preferably melee diamonds are used in a gemstone assembly. However, it is understood that diamonds having a wide variety of sizes may be used in accordance with the present invention, instead of melee diamonds in alternative embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the gemstone assembly 112 is set with the plurality of diamonds 118 such that the gemstone setting 102 simulates the appearance of a standard cushion cut gemstone. The gemstone setting 102 appears to have rounded corners and larger facets that are so characteristic of a standard cushion cut gemstone. The gemstones 118 are set such that only the table of each gemstone 118 is exposed. The gemstone assembly has a table periphery 125 and a crown periphery 126.

Referring to FIG. 3, the gemstones are paved in rows within the table and the crown planes. A plurality of imaginary dotted 128 lines that is illustrated represent the paths that the gemstones 118 to be set. The gemstones 118 are set within a plurality of imaginary rectangles 130 defined by the intersecting and/or parallel dotted lines 128. The standard micro pave setting technique is used for setting the gemstones 118. The standard micro pave setting preferably employs gemstones of uniform size. However, in accordance with the present invention, the gemstones 118 that are used in the gemstone setting constructed may or may not be of a uniform size. The gemstones are set within the rectangles from row to row creating a pattern that resembles a honeycomb.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the gemstones 118 of uniform size are set very close to each other. The arrangement of gemstones 118 is held in place by beads 134. A plurality of carefully drilled and tapered holes 132 is created in the metal. Each stone 118 is placed in the hole132 and the metal is pushed over the edges of the stone. Using industry standard tools, a bead like prong is created out of the metal on the stone and the excess metal is removed and the bead setting for the gemstones 118 is accomplished.

As shown in the figure, a plurality of bead like prongs 134 is represented by dotted triangles at the four corners of the rectangles 128. The plurality of gemstones 118 are clustered together with little or no metal showing within the beads 134. Although each stone 118 is set in four beads 134 at four corners, each stone 118 may share a common bead 134 with the adjacent stone 118. The beads 134 and the gemstones 118 are at same level and there is little metal between adjacent gemstones 118.

It is noted here that the bead setting is also achievable with tiny prongs already cast in the metal. Melee diamonds are set into a design. The design has multiple tiny little prongs perfectly formed in the prototype or wax. Preferably investment casting is used for the purpose. However, other process may also be used.

The highly precise setting of very small diamonds 118 into the chosen design and shape is accomplished. In some embodiments, the plurality of gemstones 118 is preferably set to be almost on the same level as that of the surface on the ring. However, in other embodiments the gemstones may not be on the same levels as that of the surface ring.

Referring to FIG. 5, the prong assembly 102 holds a gemstone assembly 116 between four prongs 104, 106, 108 and 110. The gemstone assembly 116 has a plurality of gemstones 118 set on a multidimensional base 136 to simulate a large gemstone, such as, for example an SRB diamond. The micro pave setting is employed on the gemstone assembly 116 such that the tables of the stones 118 are exposed. In this particular embodiment, at the bottom of the gemstone assembly 116 a metal vertex or culet 136 is provided. The vertex 136 simulates a culet of a large gemstone. However, the separate vertex or culet 136 may be absent in some other embodiments and/or may be a small diamond or group of diamonds.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a multidimensional base 138 includes an upper portion 140 and a lower pavilion portion 142. The upper portion 140 has a table portion 144 and a crown portion 146. The upper portion 140 also has an upper girdle portion 148 below the crown portion 146. The multidimensional base 138 has at least two projected inserts 150 projecting out of the bottom.

The pavilion portion 142 has a plurality of faces 152. The pavilion portion 142 is preferably hollow from inside and has a lower girdle portion 154 that includes at least a pair of holes 156 located on a lower girdle top surface 158 to receive inserts 150. The pavilion portion 142 has a bottom insert 160 that engages with the prong assembly 102.

The upper and the lower pavilion portions 140, 142 are moved up and down appropriately along the directions indicated by the bidirectional arrow to achieve engagement and disengagement. Both portions 140, 142 meet to form the complete multidimensional base 138. The upper girdle portion 148 and the lower girdle portion 154 combine and define the girdle 124.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, the disengaged multidimensional base 138 having a plurality of stone seats 162 formed in the metal is shown. The stone seats 162 are formed in rows on the table 120, the crown 122 and the pavilion portion 142. The gemstones 118 that are set in the seats 162 which may range from less than a millimeter to slightly larger, up to 3 mm. Although a variety of gemstones may be used diamonds are the preferred gemstones used micro pave designs. The diamonds that are used in the micro pave designs may be as tiny as 0.0025 carat but generally are not larger than 0.035 to 0.04 carat in size.

Another important feature of the gemstone setting 100, in accordance with the present inventions is that the multidimensional base 138 is separable. The use of a separable base 138 allows a jeweler to create gemstone assemblies that simulate or resemble a variety of standard gemstone shapes, as faithfully as possible. The separable base 138 allows a jeweler to maintain strict focus on implementing various norms pertaining to each stone shape such as, for example, proper width and height proportions and/or angle between the table and the crown. The separable base 138 allows a jeweler to expedite the stone setting process. The use of separable parts also allows a jewelry user to conveniently replace the base portions conveniently when they are damaged.

Once the stones 118 are set in stone seats the gemstone assembly 116 is complete and ready to be mounted in the prong assembly 102, like a large gemstone. Depending upon the design need, the jeweler may opt either for the bottom insert 160 of the gemstone assembly of FIG. 10 or the culet 136 of the gemstone assembly 11. The bottom insert 160 is employed to lock the gemstone assembly into the hole provided in the prong assembly 102.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the prong assembly has a hole 164 that is formed at the confluence of a plurality of prong arms of prong assembly 102. The prong arms have top arm ends 180. The gemstone assembly 116 has a pavilion 182 that simulates the pavilion of a large gemstone. The bottom insert 160 of the gemstone assembly 116 is locked into hole 164 to complete the assembly of the gemstone setting 100. In order to assemble the gemstone setting 100, the gemstone assembly is 116 is moved along the direction indicated by the unidirectional arrow A. The prong arms are preferably angled to match the angle of the pavilion 182 of the gemstone assembly 116. However, these arms may be adjusted or widened or bent to accommodate gemstones belonging to a wide variety of sizes. The locking of the bottom insert 160 into the prong hole 164 secures the gemstone assembly 116 more firmly. In gemstone setting where the gemstone assembly has a bottom insert, the prong assembly base 112 has a space that shows the position of the bottom insert inside the prong assembly.

In this particular embodiment, the prong assembly has four prong arms. However, the number of prong arms may be varied based upon various design considerations such as, for example, the gemstone shape being simulated by the gemstone assembly 116.

The gemstone assembly 112 is constructed in accordance with the present invention presents not only very clean and neat simulations of large gemstones, but also adds to the brilliance and scintillation of the jewelry. The gemstone setting also gives flexibility to users to use very small inexpensive gemstones to provide a gemstone assembly that can be made to resemble a variety of large gemstones of their choosing.

Referring to FIGS. 15A-15B, a gemstone assembly 186 constructed to simulate the large emerald cut gemstone is shown.

Referring to FIGS. 16A-16B, a gemstone assembly 188 constructed to simulate the large gemstone shown. The ratio of dimensions of the gemstone is set as per the standards recommended for a particular diamond cut. The length to width ratio is within the acceptable range for the heart shaped gemstone. The assembly 188 uses micro diamonds between 0.0025 carats to 0.04 carats.

Referring to FIGS. 17A-17B, a gemstone assembly 190 constructed to simulate the large marquise gemstone is shown. The length to width ratio is within the acceptable range for the marquise cut gemstone. The marquise assembly 190 uses micro diamonds between 0.0025 carats to 0.04 carats.

Referring to FIGS. 18A-18B, a gemstone assembly 192 constructed to simulate the large square shaped gemstone is shown. The length to width ratio is within the acceptable range for the square shaped gemstone. The assembly 192 uses micro diamonds between 0.0025 carats to 0.04 carats.

Referring to FIGS. 19A-19B, a gemstone assembly 194 constructed to simulate the large cushion shaped gemstone is shown. The height of the assembly may be approximately 4.0 millimeter. The length to width ratio is within the acceptable range for the cushion cut gemstone. The assembly 192 uses micro diamonds between 0.0025 carats to 0.04 carats.

Apart from the gemstone shapes discussed above, other shapes such as the rectangle shape, the princess cut, the trilliant cut can also be simulated by constructing the gemstone assembly in accordance with the present invention.

It is evident from FIGS. 15A-19B that the gemstone assemblies constructed in accordance with the present invention have all the important features of any prevalent and popular gemstone cuts and shapes. Every gemstone assembly has at least a culet, a table, a crown, a girdle and a pavilion which are the important parts of a gemstone. The gemstone assembly also maintains acceptable standards of length to width ratio. The gemstone assembly tries to achieve the ideal length to width ratio.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure above is merely exemplary of a certain embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications and alterations of the structures disclosed may be made in accordance with the teachings of the invention. As such, the disclosure should be viewed as enabling those skilled in the art and liberally supporting the scope of the invention and the applicant's claims, which are respectfully submitted for examination herewith and which may be further submitted or amended from time-to-time during the course of the prosecution of this application for letters patent. 

1. A gemstone setting comprising: a prong assembly having a plurality of prong members, the prong members having a hole defined at confluence thereof; and a gemstone assembly having a diamond shaped multidimensional base that includes a table, a pavilion, and a crown adapted to be respectively covered with a plurality of small diamonds via a bead setting, the multidimensional base having an upper portion and a lower pavilion portion, the gemstone assembly having a bottom insert, the bottom insert engages with the hole of the prong assembly to facilitate locking.
 2. The gem stone setting of claim 1, wherein small diamonds are having a thickness in a range of about 0.0025 carat to 0.04 carat.
 3. The gem stone setting of claim 1, wherein the bead setting is a micro pave setting.
 4. The gem stone setting of claim 1, wherein the diamonds are set into the table of the multidimensional base such that a table of each small diamond and the table of multidimensional base are coplanar.
 5. The gem stone setting of claim 1, wherein the diamonds are set into the pavilion of the multidimensional base such that the table of each diamond is parallel to a table of each diamond on a respective facet of the pavilion. 